Apparatus for transplanting trees.



J. B. SPUHR. APPARATUS FOR TRANSPLANTING TREES.

APPLICATION FILED J UNE I3, 1914.

Patented May 18, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mm 0 m m RN aWuM vbo c 76 n3. Z4777" WWI mm THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. F'HoTo-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C.

I. B. SPUHR.

APPARATUS FOR TRANSPLANTING TREES.

Patented May 18, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A Ill? APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1 914- l iii millllllllllllllfi illlllllll Gum/W01 Patented May 18, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I. B. SPUHR. APPARATUS FOR TBANSPLANHNG TREES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I3, 1914. 1,139,735o

THE NORRIS PETERS CU. PHOTO LITHOU WASHINGTON. D. Cv

Jenn 1a.. s'r HR. or DENVER; oononnno.

APPARATUS non TRANSPLANTING mantis.

Specification of Letter s I' atent.

Patented Mayis, i915.

Application filedlune 13, 1914-. swarm: 844,985.

To all whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, JOHN B. SPUHR, a

citizen of the United States-residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Apparatus for Transplanting Trees; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact de scription of the invention, such as will en-- able others skilled in the art to which it ap marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvementsin treetransplanting apparatus, object being to provide a structure of this classwhlch shall be eflicient for the object intended, and which shall be so constructed as to handle with ease relatively large trees. Inorder to transplant these trees successfully it 1s necessary'that a large quantityofdirtshall be carried upon the roots and it is this ball of dirt which gives the tree great .weight and which requires a strongstructure as well as lifting and hoisting apparatus of peculiar power and advantage, in'order that hand power may be employed for lifting the tree and the mass of} dirt upon its roots from the ground and putting it in place upon the vehicle; also in removingit from the vehicle and depositing itin its new position.

My improvement consists in the means which are applied to the ball'of' the tree (meaning'themass j of dirt andthe roots to which the dirt clings), whereby this ball may be protected to prevent the'dirt'from shaking loose" from theroots, and also securely and tightly held together during the hoisting and "other manipulating operation. This device consists of a sort of sectional basket'or'receptaclecomposed of a series of members which are held 5 together by chains with its ball of roots and dirt is hoisted, the

members of the sectional basket or receptacle are held tightly in place.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the] 1 p p p 7 bars 18, the four bars being inclined and same in det'ail, reference beingmadetdthe accompanying drawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In'thisdrawing: Figure 1 is a side elevationof my improved machine showing a tree in positio'n'tobe' transported. Fig. 2 is a rear end view of the apparatus or a view looking in the direction of arrow 3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is'a detail view of one of the sections composing the basket or receptacle adapted tobe used connectionwith the ball of the tree, shown on a largerscale than in Fig. 1. Fig. his atop plan view of one of thetop plates 'forming a part of the said basketor receptacle, shownon a larger scale than in Fig; 1. Fig. 5'is an elevation of the basket or receptacle applied to the ball of the tree, also shown ona larger scale than in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 7-.7, Fig. 5,1ookihgdow'nwardly. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a compoundloop, one loop member beingcircular and the other elongated, the two members occupying positions at right angles to each other, Fig. 8 being a view looking in the direction of arrow 9,. Fig; 7.

Fig. 9 is a detail'view of a compound loop having acirc'ular and an elongated member, the two members occupying the same plane.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a framework mountedupon front and rear wheels 6 and 7. This framework as shown in the drawing includes two horizontally disposed 1- beams 8 whose forward extremities are suitably connected with a bolster 9 infront and with stub" axles 10 in the rear, upon which the rear wheels 7 are jou'rnaled. These I- beamsarefarthest apart in the rear and ap proach each other asthey extend forwardly. Toithe rear portion of the I-beams 8is secured a top plate 12 which i s'approximately semicircular in the'rear and is provided with an angle bar 13 secured to its curved edge by means of bolts-1 1.

Betweenthe rear portions of the I-beams, and partially surrounded by the angle bar 13 of the top plate 12, is an opening through Whichthexball of the tree be lifted when removing it from its original location, and thro'ugh'which it may be dropped when depositing-itin its new location. Extend ing upwardly from the horizontal framework just described are two rearwardlylocated liars 17 and two forwardly located,

connected together at the top by means of a j plate 19 carrying a depending eye 20 supporting a pulley block 21 located below the plate. Mounted upon this plate is a-pulley T 22 mounted on a horizontal axis, and two vertically disposed rollers 23- separated to receive a cable 24 which engages the pulley I be engaged by'apawl 39 mounted'on one 22. The rollers 23 act as anti-frictional guides for the cable 24 which is connected with a windlass 25 journaled on the bars 18 as shown at 26, the shaft 27 of the Windlass having hand cranks 28. V

The cable after passing over the pulley 22 and between the rollers 23, extends rearwardly to a pulley block 29 carrying a hook 30 connected with a band 31 surrounding the trunk 32 of the tree at a distance above each of whichhas a hook 41 attached to its lower portion and a loop 42'attachedto its upper portion. Chains 43 and 44 are em: ployed to hold these basket members in. 85

place, the said chainsconstituting in fact a portion. of the basket, the chains being tightly drawn around the members of the V basket as the tree is hoisted. The manner of applying these chains to the basket sections will now be described. The extremity 45 of'the chain 43 has a few links'drawn through the eye part 46 of a compound loop 47, after which one ofthe links is inserted in the elongated part 48 of the said loop,

thus locking the chain extremity against pulling through the loop. The chain 43 is then passed aroundthe basket sections 40 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig.5, the chain engaging the books, 41 which support it from slipping downwardly. After passing entirely around. the lower portion of the ball of the tree, this chain is passed through the eye 46 of theloop47' and carried upwardly as shown at 49, and throughnthe eye extremity 50 of a loop 51 having an elongated member 52 occupying a plane at right angles to the eye 50, this loop 51 being carried by thechain 44. The chain part 49 is carried upwardly above the loop 51 and after passing through the eye.46 of another loop 47, one of its links is inserted in the elongated part 48, thus locking the upper extremity of the chain in the loop. This last named loop47 is connected'bv means; of a short chain 53 with one corner of a triangular plate 54 which is supported by a chain 55, which is connected in operative relation withthe pulley block 21. V

The chain 44 has-one extremity 56 passed through the eye extremity 50 of a loop 51, after which one of the links is slipped into the elongated part 52, thus locking the chain against pulling out of the loop. The. chain 44 is then passed around the ball of thetree in the direction indicated bythe arrow in Fig.5, being passed through the loops 42,; and after extending entirely around the upper portion of the ball, it is carried upwardly through the eye 50 of the loop 51 and;

extends above the same as shown at 57 being finally passed throughthe eye 46 ofa loop 47, one of the links being secured in the elongated portion 48 of the said loop. The last named loop 47 is connected with a short chain 58 connected with the triangular plate 54 as shown at 59. p

. The upper portions 57 of the two chains are engaged on the inside by the roller ex:

tremities 60 of a spacing bar 61 composedof a tubular member'62 into which endv members 63 telescope, the tubularmember having an opening in each endto receive pins64 which enter openings v65 formed in the telescoping members 63. By virtueof this construction the spacing bar is extensible or endwise adjustable to harmonize withthe diameter of the ball of, the tree. The central portion of the tubular member 62 of the spacing bar carries an anti-frictional roller 66 adapted to engage the trunk of. the tree when the latter is in theproper' position; This roller preventsthe spacing bar from injuring the bark of thev tree during the manipulation of the latter. I.

To the top of thetree ball are applied two semicircular plates 67' which overlap each other in the center, where they are connected by pins 68 passed through openings 69 formed .in the overlapping portions. of the plates, there being several sets of these openings in order that the plates 67 maybe ad justed to harmonize with the circular area of the top of the tree ball. These plates, 67 are recessed asshown at 70 to makeroom for the trunk of the tree. These plates-are to form apart of the basket in" which the latter is encased, by-means of a chain 71' which-is passed above the plates on'opposite sides of the trunkof the tree, its extremities being secured to two of the loops 42 as shown at A and D. vIf we commence at A, the chain extends across the top of held in place upon thetree ball and made the ball as shown at G, thence through a r loop 42 as shown at D, thence horizontally as shown at E, through a loop 42 as shown 7 at F, thence across the top of the tree ball above the plate 67 as shown at G, thence through a loop 42 as shown at I-L-thence horizontally as shown at I and through the:

next loop' 42 as shown at J ,thence across the top of the tree ball above the plates as shown at K, thencefthr'oug'h a loop 42 as 1 shown at L, 'thence horizontally as" shown at M,- through anotherloop 42 as shown at N, and thence across above the treeball as shown at O, to the loop 42' at the point- B to which'theopposite extremity of the chain is secured. The coursea'n'd arrangement of the chain 71 can best be-followed by reference to Fig. 6;v j

It is evident that any other suitablechain arrangement connected with the loops 4:2

I and extending above theplate67 applied to hanging down far enoughto permit manual operation.

In further explanation of the construction of the framework, each bar17 has a depending plate 75 projecting below the stub axle 10, the two depending plates being connected by a rod 76, the extremities of the rod being interlocked with metal loops 77 with which the parts 75 are equipped.

To the bars 18 are attached rods 81 which are secured at their lower extremities to the said bars by nuts 82, from which point the rods curve outwardly as shown at 88,

. and then extend upwardly parallel with the ,ity of the structure.

bars 18, their upper extremities being bent inwardly and secured to the upper extrem- These rods serve to facilitate the passage of the vehicle underneath trolley wires, where they are too low to allow the structure to'pass without engagement. In this event, the trolley wire will be gradually lifted by the rods 81 whose upper xtremities 84: form the highest part of the structure, thus allowing the entire framework to pass without serious obstruction.

hen the apparatus is in use, the rod 76 is detached from the vehicle and the latter backed into. position to allow the body of the tree to project upwardly in the rear and between the inclined channel bars 17, while the opening in the rear portion of the framework is directly above the roots of the tree. The band 31 is then applied to the body of the tree and connected with the pulley block 29, the cable 24. being adjusted by means of the Windlass 25, to support the body of the tree as the root ball is raised from the ground, the cable being. gradually paidout to allow thetree body to move downwardly as the ball is lifted. It may be assumed that before the vehicle has takenits position for handling the tree, the ball has been loosened and the basket applied thereto. Then as soon asthe vehicle is put in position and the cable connecting with the trunk of the tree through the instrumentality of the pulley blocks 29 and 34:, the hoisting chain 55.:is

connected with the triangular plate 54: and as the pulley block 21 is operated, the ball of the tree is gradually lifted to the position shown in Fig. 1, the 'trunk of the tree being allowed to move downwardly to the proper inclination for transporting purposes, as also illustrated in the same figure. The tree is thenmounted upon the vehicle and may be carried to the desired location for replanting.

The two chains la-anti 4A which connect the basket sections in running relation at the bottom and top respectively, areconnected by a vertically disposed chain; sec tion 85 which has a tendency to maintain the two chains 43 and Min their proper relative positions upon the basket.

Having thusdescribed my invention,what

I claim is, r

1. In apparatus of the class described, a basket composed of a series of distinct 'sec tions, flexible devices surrounding the basket in running relation at two circumferences, the said devices being carried upwardly above the basket, for the purpose set forth.

2. A basket adapted to'be applied to the root-ball of a tree, the same being composed of a series of distinct sections, a cover adapted to be applied to the top of the ball and composed of two plates connected and centrally recessed to make room for the trunk of the tree, flexible devices surrounding the basket at two circumferences, and other flexi ble devices connected with the uppermost flexible device and extending across the top of the basket, whereby the cover is held in place, substantially as described.

3. A basket adapted to be applied to the root-ball of a tree, the said basket being com posed of distinct and separate sections, flexible devices connecting the said sections 1n running relation near the top and bottom loops near their upper extremities, and flexible devices passed around the basket sections and respectively engaging the hooks and loops in running relation, for thepurpose set forth.

5. Afbasket composedofa series of sections, a flexible device passed around the 'said sections in running relation with the bottom thereof and carried upwardly on one side of the basket, a second flexible devicepassed around the sections near their upper extremities and engaging the same in running relation, the second flexible device being carried upwardly 011 the opposite side from the first named flexible device, means located above the basket for spacing the two flexible devices, and means for connecting the two flexible devices with hoisting mechanism. I i V 6. A sectional basket having two flexible devices applied thereto and engaging the arating the flexible devices from the basket,

substantially as described. v

7. A basket composed ofa series of separate and distinct sections, flexible; devices Copies of this patent inay be obtained for connecting thesaid sections in running relationand located at two circumferences, the flexible devices being carried upwardly above the basket and adapted to. be connected in operative relation with hoisting mechanism, and ajspacing device located above the basket and having anti-frictional rollers at its extremities which engage the flexible devices, for the purpose set forth.

, 8. .A basketcomposed of aseries of sepa rate and distinct sections adapted to be applied to the root-ball of a tree, flexible devices connecting the, said sections in running relation, and respectively located at two circumferences of the basket, theflexible devices being carried upwardly above the bas ket means for spacing the flexible devices abovethe basket, and means for connecting the two flexible devices with hoisting mechanism, for the vpurpose set forth.

In testimony whereofl afflX my signature I in presence of two witnesses. f V p 5 I c JOHN vSPUH R.

' Witnesses: 1 V

MAZE KIRBY, A. EBERT OBRIENL five cents each, by'addressing' the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D; G. I 

